Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Tsar Simeon II is among the longest-living monarchs in Europe

Photo: Archive

After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Bulgarian King Simeon II is the third oldest monarch in Europe. He turned 85 last July. Unlike the kings of Serbia, Romania and Greece who abdicated after the Second World War, the Bulgarian king never renounced the throne.

Simeon II could also have broken the record for the longest period of rule if Bulgaria had not become a republic. He was enthroned on 28 August 1948. Thus he would have been in power for 74 years, which is even longer than the governance of Louis XIV - 72 years and 110 days.

Currently the oldest sovereigns in Europe are Pope Francis, who turned 85 on 17 December 2021, and Harald V King of Norway. He also turned 85 on 21 February.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

According to a parliamentary source, government talks have been renewed

GERB-SDF, Democratic Bulgaria (DB), the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and There Is Such a People (ITN) are resuming intensive talks to form a government. This was decided by a parliamentary presidential council, BNT reported.  According to..

published on 1/8/25 11:01 AM
Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev

Flu epidemic in Bulgaria to reach peak in early February

The metapneumovirus is not new and does not lead to severe illnesses. There is already a decrease in morbidity in China and there are no deaths there, said Bulgaria's chief state sanitary inspector, Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev, to bTV.  "I..

published on 1/8/25 10:12 AM

The UK to introduce electronic travel authorisation for EU citizens as of April 2

From 2 April 2025, the UK will introduce the issuance of an electronic transit and short-term residence permit for citizens of all EU countries , including Bulgaria, for whom a visa for a short stay is currently not required.  The Bulgarian..

published on 1/8/25 9:28 AM